Painting wing struts

Ask Questions and Offer Advice Related to the Cessna 120 & 140 Type

Moderators: 6643, 6183, V529

Forum rules
You must be a member of the Cessna 120-140 Association in order to post new topics, reply to existing topics, or search for information on this forum. Use the "Join" link in the red menu bar.
Post Reply
User avatar
lora
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:47 am
Location: Oklahoma
Name: Lora
Aircraft Type: C120
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Painting wing struts

Post by lora »

I didn't realize what a good deal I had until it was gone. For the past five years, my husband has taken care of all the maintenance on our 120. All I had to worry about was flying it. Well now he's run off and bought his own airplane and left the 120 maintenance to me. So I'm trying to figure this out one step at a time.

My first order of business is the struts. They are looking pretty rusty. Do I need to remove them in order to paint them? Any advice on stripping the old paint or sanding. Thanks!
Attachments
IMG_1144.JPG
IMG_1144.JPG (22.95 KiB) Viewed 3913 times
IMG_1143.JPG
IMG_1143.JPG (22.52 KiB) Viewed 3913 times
IMG_1142.JPG
IMG_1142.JPG (25.94 KiB) Viewed 3913 times
User avatar
6643
Posts: 2326
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: KLCI
Name: John C
Aircraft Type: 1946 C140/C90
Occupation-Interests: A&P, semi-retired
Contact:

Re: Painting wing struts

Post by 6643 »

Those look pretty nasty! I would suggest removing them, propping the wings (if it's inside) and stripping them. Then, treat the rust, prime and paint. When you paint, be sure to get good coverage on the leading and trailing edges first. Painting the flat surfaces is easy. Getting good coverage on the edges is much harder.

OBTW, left and right are not the same...
User avatar
lora
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:47 am
Location: Oklahoma
Name: Lora
Aircraft Type: C120
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Painting wing struts

Post by lora »

Thanks for the advice! I was afraid they would need to be removed. Do you have any suggestions for bracing the wings? It is in an inside hangar.
User avatar
6339
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: New Port Richey,FL FA40
Name: Steve Rose
Aircraft Type: '48 140
Occupation-Interests: Retired Navy Maintainer
Contact:

Re: Painting wing struts

Post by 6339 »

I’ve found that 2 6ft stepladders with kitchen chair cushions placed under the outermost ribs are the perfect height. Have a helper to manipulate the wingtips and don’t forget to remove the wing/ fuselage fairings.
Good luck!
User avatar
6898
Posts: 307
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: IS65 Sandwich IL.
Name: Jeff T
Aircraft Type: 48 140 C90
Occupation-Interests: Auto,Marine&Aviation Repair
Contact:

Re: Painting wing struts

Post by 6898 »

Sent you a PM
Jeff T 1948 C-140 NC3600V
Past President 120 140 Assoc. 2019-2023
User avatar
lora
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:47 am
Location: Oklahoma
Name: Lora
Aircraft Type: C120
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Painting wing struts

Post by lora »

6339 wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2019 1:31 pm I’ve found that 2 6ft stepladders with kitchen chair cushions placed under the outermost ribs are the perfect height. Have a helper to manipulate the wingtips and don’t forget to remove the wing/ fuselage fairings.
Good luck!
Okay, good idea. Thanks! I think I can do this!
User avatar
6643
Posts: 2326
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: KLCI
Name: John C
Aircraft Type: 1946 C140/C90
Occupation-Interests: A&P, semi-retired
Contact:

Re: Painting wing struts

Post by 6643 »

Do NOT try to rest the outboard end of the strut on the ground while the inboard end is still in the gear box. It will damage the skin under the cutout and that piece has the whole rest of the plane attached to it.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 6 guests